Killer claims PTSD in bid to have life sentence cut

A CONVICTED killer said to have repeatedly stamped on his victim’s head is attempting to establish he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in a bid to secure a reduced sentence.

Co Down window cleaner Richard Dalzell (37, right )is serving a minimum 12-year term for murdering Mark Lamont in Coleraine in 2016.

Mr Lamont, a 54-year-old father of three (right), was found in a critical condition, lying in a pool of blood outside the Ballycastle Road home of Dalzell’s girlfriend.

He was taken to hospital but never regained consciousness and died just over two weeks later.

A previous court heard Dalzell and his female friend had been drinking in a Coleraine bar where the victim was also present with two other men.

Later that day, Mr Lamont and his friends turned up at the woman’s house, where they were said to have encountered her and Dalzell having sex. Although the group left, the victim returned alone and became involved in a further altercation.

Dalzell, from Whinpark Road in Newtownards, allegedly stamped on his head as he lay on the ground.

It was claimed that before fleeing the scene Dalzell spotted a neighbour and shouted: “I’m in the UDA. You saw nothing.”

During interviews Dalzell told police he had been challenged to a fight and got the better of Mr Lamont.

But he subsequently pleaded guilty to murder and was ordered to serve at least 12 years of a life sentence.

His lawyers are now appealing the jail term imposed, claiming it was excessive.

Central to the challenge is an attempt to establish he had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder before the fatal attack.

According to Dalzell’s legal team, that would then be treated as further mitigation.

Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan adjourned the case until next month for time to confirm their position.